Chapter 671 - 208: All Sides in Motion

Shen Bai made these arrangements, sending only half his men, precisely to prevent the enemy from luring the tiger away from its mountain.

Red Makeup understood this, but she couldn’t comprehend how Shen Bai knew.

"Actually, I didn’t know at first."

Shen Bai explained slowly, "If last night’s incident hadn’t happened, perhaps I really would have sent seventy percent of our forces. But after what happened last night, I feel they overplayed their hand with an otherwise perfect plan."

"Think about it. If they’re trying to lure the tiger from the mountain, yet are also trying to ascertain their enemy’s movements, what are we, their enemy, supposed to think?"

"My first thought would be that they want to confirm my movements and make sure I’ve dispatched a large force so they can proceed with another part of their plan."

"Of course, we can’t rule out the possibility that they want to know my movements simply to prevent the men I send from completely wiping out their people at Lianyun Medicine Mountain."

"But either way, sending half our men is the safest approach. If those Jianghu Demons escape, they escape. As long as nothing major happens, we can slowly hunt them down later."

After listening to Shen Bai’s analysis, Red Makeup nodded. "Your analysis makes sense, Master. Regardless of whether this is a ploy to lure you away, our priority now is to remain stable. Master, what about Zhang Dao Ling? He’ll know of your every move."

Shen Bai smiled. "If he wants to know, then let him. I’ll stay right here in this room and won’t take a single step outside."

Red Makeup froze. "But Master, if it is as you say—a ploy to lure you away—and one of our fronts becomes unstable, you will surely have to go yourself."

As Daoist Si, Shen Bai would undoubtedly have to go in person if one of the fronts couldn’t hold.

Besides, Red Makeup had another thought she didn’t voice. ’What if Shen Bai goes to Lianyun Medicine Mountain, but there aren’t actually that many Jianghu Demons there? Wouldn’t their plan have been for nothing?’

Shen Bai read the expression on her face.

He shook his head. "Even if I were to go to Lianyun Medicine Mountain, they would make another move to lure me elsewhere."

"If I’m not mistaken, another variable will present itself shortly."

"We just have to wait quietly. Wait for the new development that forces me to go somewhere else. Then we can truly turn their own plan against them."

Red Makeup refilled a cup of tea, handed it to Shen Bai, and said, "Then we will do as you command, Master."

The room fell silent once again.

Shen Bai dismantled the array, patiently sipped his tea, and looked at the moon outside the window, in high spirits.

...

The Government Office.

The Chief Constable had already arrived and was recounting the events to Zhang Dao Ling.

Zhang Dao Ling then went to the inner courtyard, found Wen Jing, and told him everything about Shen Bai’s arrangements.

After hearing Zhang Dao Ling’s report, Wen Jing nodded. "Since he intends to send seventy percent of his men, we’ll withdraw our people from Lianyun Medicine Mountain."

Zhang Dao Ling frowned. "Shen Bai hasn’t confirmed if he’s going yet. If he does go to Lianyun Medicine Mountain with them, I’m afraid your handful of men won’t stand a chance."

"And your so-called ’divide and conquer’ plan will absolutely fail."

Wen Jing shook his head. "Lord Zhang, you needn’t worry about that. Rest assured, the Marquis of Ren De’s side should be making their move by now."

Zhang Dao Ling mused, "The Marquis of Ren De, you say."

Wen Jing nodded. "That’s right. The situation with the Marquis of Ren De will give Shen Bai a reason he can’t refuse. Just you watch."

"I need to head over to the Marquis of Ren De’s now. Care to join, Lord Zhang? You can enjoy the sight of Shen Bai’s miserable state before he dies."

Zhang Dao Ling chuckled. "I have no interest in watching such things. I only wish to hear the news of Shen Bai’s death. You go on your own."

Seeing Zhang Dao Ling’s cold attitude, Wen Jing said no more and quickly vanished from the courtyard.

Although Zhang Dao Ling appeared calm and unconcerned, as he watched the spot where Wen Jing had vanished, he was inwardly praying that this time, Shen Bai would not return.

Just then, down below the Observatory, a soldier rushed onto the scene.

Wang Teng and Ma Yuan had just come downstairs when they ran into him.

Ma Yuan had to go arrange their forces, so he left with the letter Shen Bai had given him.

Wang Teng, however, looked at the soldier and asked, "What is your business at the Observatory?"

The soldier looked frantic, his face drenched in sweat.

When he saw Wang Teng, he immediately stepped forward. "Quick! Take me to Lord Shen! The Marquis was at a military camp today and was suddenly poisoned! I heard Lord Shen can cure poisons. We hope he can lend his aid!"